Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-10
erv ices which the Democrats demand at
my hands, and serve the party which has
conferred honors on me in the past.

erv ices which the Democrats demand at
my hands, and serve the party which has
conferred honors on me in the past.
NO FEARS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
have no fears of the opposition of the
Republican party. [Cheers.] we nave
met before on other fields when 1t was sup,
ported by all the power of the State and
Federal Governments. There are other Or
carnations, secret and open, more or less
of political nature, having for their OBJECT
the protection and advancement OF class IN
terests meritorious enough perhaps them
selves, but necessarily too limited in public
scope to do much general good; but two
GREAT political parties really exist in our
country-Democrati and Republican,
These new associations sooner or later must
train with one or the other of these organi-
cations. IF any of the dissatisfied elements
referred to have gone out Of our ranks l beg
them to pause and see first if their grievances
cannot be corrected within the lines of the
Democratic party. He declared that the
Republican party did not intend to pass the
Blair bill or repeal the internal revenue
laws; to the contrary, they we're committed
to class legislation. He said: Weshave tax
en- but little notice of the Mugwump's line
of politics, and considered chat all who were
not with us were against US.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
In speaking of President Cleveland, he
said that he has administered the affairs OF
the government with great ability at home
and abroad. He manifested great industry
and devotion to the details of business, He
thought great credit was due to the Demo
cratic President from the Empire State OF
hoe will IN
look sectional differences and put his trust
in the good faith and honor of representa-
five Southern men, and in their ability to
discharge rightly the duties of high official
positions.
THE STATE DEBT.
He approved of the course of Governor
Lee and endorsed his administration as
worthy of the highest popular commenda-
tionon the State debt question, He said
it must be regarded as matter of the
deepest regret that this question could not
have been originally considered from q
strict business point of view, instead Of as
subject for party capital The tempta.
tions of personal ambition and party su
premacy are too alluring for any such re
suits. After years of contest and conflict
ing public and political sentiment in Vir
Legislature of 1872, and afterwards &C
cepted by both political parties as the final
decision of the question. The Democrats
of Virginia in convention expressed a de
termination to maintain the agreement.
am satisfied the State is really unable tt
assume more financial responsibility thar
is embodied in what is known as the Rid
dleberger act. Virginia is poor with thu
bulk of her lands deprecated in value, an(
cultivated with small profit; with her lab
ORIG classes insufficiently remunerated ii
the shape of wages. The State has alst
other important obligations to meet. Sh,
must maintain the civil iis5, provide mean
for educating her children make proper APP
preparations for the support of she variou
public institutions, and take care of he
disabled soldiers. To meet these demand
| is a first necessity. and quite as much 81
can be co1e under the present rate of taxa
ton. The safety Of the people is suprem,
law. and when the State has DONG al that i
in it's power to do, no more ought to lie de
manded.
| Mr.. Barbour concluded amidst applause
having spoken over three-quarters of al
hour. and nominated Dr.. S. Fl. Moffett as
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
DR.. Mofrett thanked the convention fo
the distinguished honor conferred. He de
clared he saw victory in their countenanc'
and battle in their eyes, and made glow
ing, but brief speech. He said Cleveland
| had brought the South up until it coult
look tbs Sorld in the face. Grover CIeve
land. Fitz Lee, aad John S. Barbour, ant
if he would be pardoped, John Bell Bigge
had been essential to victory in all Demo
cratic campaigns He endorsed the Riddle
berger bill, and wanted Roanoke to sa,
what Lynchburg had said, and victor,
] would follow Roanoke as it did Itynchburg
| He made an eloquent.
/ APPEAL OF BEHALF OF THE FARMERS.
He said he wanted live questions. Th
| bloody shirt would not wave. It bad bee
washed cut, Wrung out, iFoned out, and rot
tened out.
REPORTS FROM DISTRICT DELEGATIONS
were presented and accepted, and names G
members of the various committees yer
adopted.
An invitation to visit, on Saturday, tn
CRIME Creek extension over the Norfoll
| and Western Railroad, was read and &C
ceptcd. Major Mann Page said that b
would like 20 know why the excursion coul
not be had tomorrow. He said that Dem
ocraoy bad come heIe to prepare TO eight
and that vas about all they could do. e
wanted TO get through with the work tc
night
Att quarter to 2 the convention adjourn
ed for two hours. in order to allow the com
mittees time to report.
/ AFTER RECEss-THE POSITION OF TIL
| FARMERS.
/! Shortly after tle ronFention convened al
ter recess Col. Robert Beverly TOOK tn
floor to say, in eloquent terms, that tn
| farmers of Virginia had no idea of forming
third party. He said he mad never beer
ANYTHING but a Democrat, and expected +
live aud die one, and that, thank God, tn
T; farmers of Virginia were first last and al
ways foa Democracy.
| PERbANENT ORGANIZATION.
Mr.. Ryan, from the committee OF per
manent organization, reported the follow
ing: Chairman, Hon. John 8. Goode. Vice
Presidents: H. r. Pollard, First district
/ Thomas Tabb, Second district; Fl, $ Car
ter. Third district; Dr. r. S. Powell, Fourth
district: Judge D. " Bclen, Fifth district
John w. Daniel, ftiEtie district; John 1
| Harris, Seventh district, b. iohpson Bar
bour, Eighth district; W. T. Rhea, kintf
district; j, J. A. Powell, Tenth district
Secretary, W, W. Scott, Assistants, JOIN
Bell Bigger, 3. B. Gordon, and the mem
bers of the Democratic press present.
Sergeant-at-Arms, T. T. Weaver.
PRESIDENT GOODIES SPEECH.
Hon. John Goode came forward and elGdt
a speech, in which he said it would be i'm
] possible to overestimate the Importance o.
| the pendiug contest. It thorough apathy
or supinenosg Or Indifference ever allowed
the sceptre Of Democracy to depart from
| orr hands, the welfare Of the people you'd
be ieopardize. He declared il VIC Wonld
preserve spirit Of good will between ths
; white and black races; attract capital and
| Immigration, apd thu development Of opl
resources, we must resolve this day, with
the touch Of the elbow and tho look Of the
eye, that there shall ba no such word az
fail, and that Virginia shall be ruled by hel
trnest sons. He criticised the expressions
of those who calmly said that they did NOT
take interest in politics. Every man 5
business Was more Or less effected by poll
tics 1t was IA ago Of ntilitarianism. lie
said Cleveland set an eAaa.3ble well worthy
of foljOginr He always voted fitS sJPaiD hit